Israel's Mossad Chief Visits the U.S.... Netanyahu, Facing Ouster, Presses Trump to 'Resume Attacks on Iran'

[Financial News] Roman Gofman, chief of Israel's Mossad (the foreign intelligence agency), is making a surprise visit to the United States for a series of meetings with senior Trump administration officials, including the director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The move comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, facing the threat of political ouster, is strongly pressuring U.S. President Donald Trump to resume military operations against Iran.
On the 13th (local time), the U.S. outlet Axios reported, citing multiple sources, that Mossad chief Gofman was scheduled to meet CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Washington, D.C., that day. Gofman, considered one of Netanyahu's closest aides, is expected to travel to Miami, Florida, afterward to meet White House envoy Steve Witkoff and discuss the war with Iran. Mossad, the CIA and the White House all declined to comment officially on the matter.

The visit to the United States was arranged as Netanyahu continued to urge Trump to resume military operations against Iran. U.S. officials say the two leaders also discussed the matter during a phone call on the 5th.
Trump has so far rejected Israel's hard-line demands, taking into account the positions of Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and has sought a solution centered on a naval blockade and economic pressure. The previous day, Trump said, “I can end this situation immediately, but at the request of the countries we are trying to protect, I am taking a moderate approach, even if it takes a little longer.” He added, “Saudi Arabia asked us to maintain the current situation for the time being because Iran is collapsing.”
Some observers, however, say Trump is once again raising the possibility of resuming attacks by taking a hard line, including saying after the midterm elections, “We don't need an agreement with Iran.”

The prevailing view in Israel is that Netanyahu is trying to use the Iran issue as leverage to shore up his own precarious domestic political position.
Netanyahu failed to secure a majority in the general election held on the 27th of last month, and opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has now been given the authority to form a new coalition government. If an Eisenkot-led coalition takes office, Netanyahu will have to relinquish power.
Sources said, “Netanyahu is highly likely to launch an attack on Iran or deliberately provoke Iran into attacking Israel to prevent a new opposition-led government from taking office.” Israel's opposition is also deeply concerned about the possibility of reckless military action to prolong Netanyahu's political career and is watching closely.


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